Float Your Stress Away: How Float Therapy Helps with Natural Stress Relief
April is Stress Awareness Month and we are sharing some tips and helpful information on effective ways to relieve stress and anxiety. While there are many options available, float therapy is obviously one of our favorites. It has been the backbone of Victory Float Lounge from day one and the inspiration for starting our business. Also known as sensory deprivation therapy, float therapy involves floating in a tank filled with water and highly concentrated Epsom salt, which creates a zero-gravity environment allowing your body to completely relax and unwind.
Let’s explore the benefits of float therapy for stress relief, share scientific research on its effects regarding anxiety and stress, and provide you with some stress-relieving activities to support a daily routine of relaxation.
Float Therapy as a Natural Stress Relief Option
“…it calms the central nervous system, allowing us to slip into Theta State, a brain wave pattern associated with deep meditation and ‘mental recovery and restoration”
Float therapy has been gaining popularity in recent years as a natural way to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. You’ll see the west coast has quickly adopted this practice and Pittsburgh, naturally, is a little behind the times, but there are a handful of great places across Pittsburgh to experience floating. The concept around this therapy is simple yet effective: by immersing yourself in a tank of warm water (body temp to be exact) filled with Epsom salt, you can experience a state of deep relaxation that helps to reduce stress and anxiety. In particular, it calms the central nervous system, allowing us to slip into Theta State, a brain wave pattern associated with deep meditation and ‘mental recovery and restoration.’ In conjunction with the mental state, the physical zero-gravity environment of the tank also allows your muscles and joints to completely relax, which can be especially beneficial for those who suffer from chronic pain.
Benefits of Float Therapy for Stress Relief
One of the key benefits of float therapy is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. A multitude of studies have shown that float therapy can help to lower cortisol levels, the hormone that is released in response to stress. Cortisol isn’t necessarily bad, but chronic elevated levels can wreak havoc on our bodies. And unfortunately that’s what we’re experiencing in society as a whole. In addition, float therapy has been found to increase the levels of endorphins and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that promote feelings of relaxation and happiness. Again, high endorphins and dopamine can be good, but elevating these levels through effort, or in this case lack of effort (shutting down for an hour) is really important. Spiking dopamine and endorphins via food, for example, is not so good.
Another benefit of float therapy is its ability to improve sleep quality. The deep relaxation that is achieved during a float session can help to promote better sleep, which is essential for overall health and well-being. This is probably one of the biggest feedback points we get from guests - “I can’t believe how well I slept after my float!”
Float therapy has also been shown to improve mental clarity and focus, which can be particularly helpful for those who suffer from anxiety or depression.
Scientific Research on Float Therapy and Its Effects on Anxiety and Stress
Several studies have been conducted on the effects of float therapy on anxiety and stress. One study published in the International Journal of Stress Management found that float therapy significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in participants after just one session. A float practice, with frequency as determined by the participant, was proven to show an even greater AND sustained reduction in stress and anxiety. Another study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that float therapy was effective in reducing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Other Natural Remedies for Anxiety and Stress Relief
Float therapy is just one of the many natural remedies available for anxiety and stress relief. Other options include:
Exercise: Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Meditation: Practicing mindfulness meditation can help to reduce stress and promote feelings of relaxation.
Aromatherapy: Essential oils such as lavender and chamomile can help to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Yoga: This ancient practice combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote relaxation and stress relief.
Performing any of these activities before your float can be a huge help in allowing you to experience an even deeper relaxation - the ritual matters as long as it matters to you!
How to Relax Your Mind and Body for Stress Relief
In addition to incorporating natural remedies into your routine, it's important to take steps to relax your mind and body on a daily basis. Here are some tips:
Practice deep breathing: Deep breathing exercises can help to calm the mind and reduce stress.
Take a break: Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help to reduce stress and improve productivity.
Get enough sleep: Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to help your body and mind recharge.
Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake: Both caffeine and alcohol can increase anxiety and interfere with sleep.
Spend time in nature: time in nature can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Stress-Relieving Activities to Incorporate into Your Routine
In addition to float therapy and other natural remedies, there are many stress-relieving activities that you can incorporate into your daily routine. Here are some ideas:
Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help offload stress and overthinking.
Listening to music: Soothing music, or any music really, can help to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. And don’t be stiff - dance away some of that stress too
Spending time with loved ones: Social support is important for mental health, so make sure to spend time with friends and family.
Engaging in a hobby: Hobbies that you enjoy can help to reduce stress and promote feelings of happiness, especially when they involve a community. We are social creatures and need varying degrees of social interaction.
Laughing: Laughter is the best medicine, so watch a funny movie or spend time with someone who makes you laugh.
Float Therapy vs Other Stress Relief Activities
While there are many stress relief activities available, float therapy offers some unique benefits. Unlike other activities, float therapy provides a zero-gravity environment that allows your muscles and joints to completely relax. In addition, float therapy has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and increase levels of endorphins and dopamine, which can promote feelings of relaxation and happiness.
Incorporating Float Therapy into Your Stress Relief Routine
Float therapy is a natural and effective way to alleviate stress and anxiety…
By immersing yourself in a tank of warm water filled with Epsom salt, you can experience a state of deep relaxation that promotes better sleep, mental clarity, and overall well-being. While float therapy is just one of the many stress relief activities available, it offers some unique benefits that make it worth considering.
Ready to give it a try? We recommend starting out with our Victory 180 Package (3 floats in 30 days) for new floaters. So why not give it a try and see how it can benefit your mind and body?
